Malaysia Set to Welcome Emirates A380

DUBAI, UAE – 26 July 2011 - Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline, continues to expand its list of Airbus A380 destinations, with Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, set to welcome the superjumbo on 1st December 2011.

Emirates’ partnership with Malaysia began in October 1996 when the airline launched its services to Kuala Lumpur via Dhaka. By 2006, the airline connected Dubai and Kuala Lumpur non-stop and today operates 21 non-stop flights a week between these two important cities.

In what will be the first scheduled A380 service to Malaysia by any airline, Emirates’ flagship aircraft will operate as EK346 departing Dubai at 0405hrs and arriving in Kuala Lumpur at 1455hrs on the same day. The return leg, EK347, will depart Kuala Lumpur at 1930hrs arriving in Dubai at 2230hrs.

“The United Arab Emirates is a leading trading partner with Malaysia and over the last 15 years Emirates has played its part as the bridge between these two countries. Emirates has always been committed to Malaysia and the launch of the A380 on the route follows strong and increasing demand, not just from business travellers, but leisure travellers as well, boosting Malaysian tourism.” said Richard Jewsbury, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations Far East & Australasia. “I would like to express my gratitude to YB. Dato’ Seri Kong Cho Ha, Minister of Transport, YB. Dato’ Sri Dr.Ng Yen Yen, Minister of Tourism and Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad, Managing Director, Malaysian Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), all of who have supported Emirates over the years and made this A380 launch possible.”

Trade between Malaysia and the UAE has expanded more than three-fold over the last decade from US$1.16 billion in 2000 to US$4.59 billion last year.

Emirates’ A380 service arrives in Dubai at a convenient time giving passengers the options of onward connections to any of Emirates’ expanding list of over 100 European, Middle Eastern, African or American destinations. Emirates also offers a number stopover packages, giving passengers the opportunity to break their journey and relax in Dubai.